Apprentice Engineer

You’ll be supported every step of the way by experienced engineers and a dedicated mentor. Day-to-day, you will:

Support reactive and preventative maintenance activities Learn how to diagnose and fix faults on machinery Build your technical knowledge through on-site and college learning Complete your apprenticeship portfolio and training modules Work safely within food manufacturing and engineering standards Develop communication and teamwork skills in a real-world environment Take ownership of your development and respond to feedback

You’ll also gain exposure to wider business areas, including Operations, Technical & Quality, Warehousing, NPD, Finance, and Transformation.

 

Training:

This is a practical, hands-on engineering apprenticeship delivered in partnership with Reagit UK Limited, combining real workplace experience with structured college learning.

You’ll split your time between:

Reagit’s Norwich campus, where you’ll gain technical knowledge and complete workshop-based training. You will be based here full-time, Monday - Friday for your first 20 weeks. Kinnerton’s manufacturing site in Fakenham, working alongside experienced engineers. After you have completed your 20 weeks with Reagit, you will work 4 days per week at Kinnerton and continue with 1 day per week of continued learning at Reagit.

Through your apprenticeship, you’ll develop skills across key engineering areas, including:

Mechanical maintenance and fault finding Electrical systems and diagnostics Preventive maintenance techniques Engineering safety and compliance Problem-solving and continuous improvement Working with modern food manufacturing equipment

(Aligned to the formal training programme delivered by Reagit UK Limited)

Training Outcome:

After successfully completing the apprenticeship, if permanent roles are available, you can apply to progress into a permanent Engineering role at Kinnerton. From there, you’ll have opportunities to further develop your skills and move into more advanced positions such as Multi-Skilled Engineer, Engineering Team Leader, or Specialist Technician roles. You will also be well-equipped with the skills and experience to pursue maintenance engineering roles within the wider food manufacturing industry or apply for similar engineering positions across other sectors, giving you a strong foundation for a long-term engineering career.

Employer Description:

Kinnerton is far from your typical brand. Pioneering the introduction of character chocolate in the UK in 1978 under the Kinnerton Kids label, we have consistently evolved, securing our position as one of the UK's leading manufacturers of seasonal goods. 

Our Fakenham site operates across three key production areas - Novelty, Nut, and Moulding, each led by a Plant Manager and supported by dedicated Shift Managers working on a 4 on 4 off pattern across days and nights. The site is a 11,000m² facility producing over 8,500 tonnes of confectionery annually, including NOMO – the UK’s #1 free-from chocolate brand. With advanced technology and a nut-safe promise, we supply major retailers and co-manufacture for some of the world’s biggest confectionery brands. Every year, we produce over 5 million advent calendars and 30 million Easter eggs – making this a fast-paced, innovative environment where no two days are the same.  

As a key player in the Zertus UK & Ireland Snacking & Chocolate Market Unit, we collaborate with esteemed food manufacturers nationwide. 

Working Hours :
Position type: Full time, temporary for around 30 months (+ up to 6 months End Point Assessment) Shift Pattern: Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 16:30.

Skills:
Communication skills,IT skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills,Problem solving skills,Number skills,Team working,Initiative,Non judgemental,Patience,Physical fitness